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PIB’S DAILY BULLETIN ON COVID-19

Updates on COVID-19 from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
So far, a total of 20,917 people have been cured. This takes total recovery rate to 31.15%. The total number of confirmed cases is now 67,152. Since yesterday, an increase of 4,213 has been noted in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in India.Appreciating the work of the various medical professionals, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that the country is proud of the medical practitioners for the resilience shown by them in dealing with COVID-19, especially in the last three months. He again appealed to the nation that the doctors and healthcare workers should not be ostracised or targeted; instead they should be lauded for their efforts in helping the public at large. He said that doctors, nurses, healthcare workers deserve our respect, support and cooperation to keep the fight against COVID-19.
Robust indigenous IgG ELISA test for antibody detection developed by ICMR-NIV, Pune will play a critical role in surveillance for COVID-19: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Indian Council of Medical Research -National Institute of Virology  at Pune has developed and validated the indigenous IgG ELISA test “COVID KAVACH ELISA” for antibody detection for COVID-19.NIV’s scientific team successfully isolated the SARS-CoV-2 virus from laboratory confirmed patients in India. This in turn has paved the way for development of indigenous diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2. While real time RT-PCR is the frontline test for clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, robust antibody tests are critical for surveillance to understand the proportion of population exposed to infection.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan visits Mandoli COVID-19 Care Centre to review status of COVID-19 management
Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visited the COVID Care Centre  at Mandoli Jail, New Delhi to review status of COVID-19 management. Keeping in view the emerging requirements for hospital preparedness, Mandoli CCC is Police Residential Complex turned dedicated COVID-19 Centre consisting of adequate isolation rooms and beds for COVID-19 patients with mild/very mild symptoms.Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that continuously observing personal and respiratory etiquettes, social distancing would reap us rich dividends in ultimate fight against COVID-19:
Ensure smooth movement of medical professionals and para-medical staff, and opening of all private clinics, nursing homes and labs; Essential to tackle both COVID and non-COVID Emergencies: MHA to States
Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting, through Video Conference on 10th May 2020, wherein the issue of restrictions being imposed by some States/ UTs on the movement of medical professionals and para-medical personnel was flagged.In pursuance of this meeting, MHA has written to all States/UTs pointing out that unhindered movement of all medical professionals is essential for meeting public health requirements and saving precious human lives. Any restriction on the movement of medical professionals and para-medical staff can lead to severe constraints in rendering COVID and non-COVID medical services, it adds.
MHA to States: Cooperate with Railways in running more ‘Shramik Special’ Trains without any hindrance to facilitate faster movement of stranded Migrant Workers to their native places
Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting, through Video Conference on 10th May 2020, to review assistance provided by all States/ UTs Governments to the movement of migrant workers in buses and ‘Shramik’ special trains.In pursuance of this meeting, MHA has written to all States/UTs to prevent migrant workers to resort to walking on road and on railway tracks to reach their native places. It was emphasized that ‘Shramik’ special trains and buses have already been allowed to enable their travel. Hence, they may be facilitated to board the ‘Shramik’ special trains or buses to their native places and till that time the migrants may be counselled and taken to nearby shelters.
Passenger services on Indian Railways shall be partially restored w.e.f. from 12th May 2020 in a graded manner
Ministry of Railways has decided that train services on Indian Railways shall be partially restored w.e.f. from 12th May 2020 in a graded manner. Fifteen pair of special trains  shall be operated. These services shall be in addition to the Shramik specials for transporting stranded persons, which are under operation w.e.f. 1st May.Other regular Passenger services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice. These special trains will have only Air conditioned. Only online E-Ticketing will be done through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter on any Railway Station. Booking of tickets through ‘agents’, shall not be permitted. Maximum Advance Reservation Period will be of maximum 7 days. No Unreserved tickets shall be permitted.No catering charges shall be included in the fare. All passengers shall be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to enter /board the train.
Indian Railways announces timings of fifteen pair of special trains
Ministry of Railways  in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family welfare  and Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that train services on Indian Railways shall be partially restored w.e.f. from 12th May 2020 in a graded manner.
Indian Railway operates 468 “Shramik Special” trains till 11th May, 2020  across the country
As on 11th May 2020, a total of 468 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country, in which 363 trains had reached its destination and 105 trains are in transit.These 363 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh , Bihar , Himachal Pradesh , Jharkhand , Madhya Pradesh , Maharashtra , Odisha , Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh , West Bengal, Tamil Nadu .In these Shramik Special Trains, maximum around 1200 passengers can travel observing social distancing. Proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.
MHA and Railways conduct Video Conference with State Nodal Officers to review operation of ‘Shramik Special’ Trains, to facilitate faster movement of stranded Workers to their Native places
Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Railways organised a video conference on movement of migrant labour by shramik special trains today morning. Nodal officers of the States and UTs participated.It was appreciated that more than 450 trains, including 101 yesterday, have departed carrying several lakh migrant workers.Several issues were discussed and redressed during the VC and it was emphasised that migrant labour should be reassured that sufficient number of trains would be run for travel of all those wishing to go home. More than a hundred trains are expected to run daily for next few weeks to facilitate faster movement of stranded workers to their native places.
MHA issues Standard Operating Protocol  to facilitate Movement of Persons by Train
Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued Standard Operating Protocol  to facilitate movement of persons by train.Movement of passengers to & fro and entry at the railway station would be permitted only on confirmed e-ticket. There would be compulsory medical screening of all passengers. Only asymptomatic persons would be allowed to board the train. During the travel and at the railway stations, Strict adherence to Health/hygiene protocols and social distancing.
NDMA issues guideline on restarting manufacturing industries after the lockdown period
Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued detailed guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on restarting manufacturing industries after the lockdown period. State Governments shall also ensure that the off-site disaster management plan of the respective Major Accidental Hazard  units is up to date and preparedness to implement them is high. It is also advised that all the responsible officers of the district shall ensure the Industrial On-Site Disaster Management Plans are also in place and cover Standard Operating Procedures for safe re-starting of the industries during & after COVID 19 lock down.
Indian Air Force airlifts essential Chemicals to assist State Government in tackling the Vizag Gas leak
Based on the request from Industries and Commerce department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, IAF airlifted 8.3 T of essential chemicals required to effectively control the gas leak that occurred at Styrene Monomer Storage tank in LG Polymers at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. Also, as a part of meeting the emerging requirements of Govt of India during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IAF continued to airlift essential supplies required to equip state governments and supporting agencies to combat the contagion effectively. A total of 703 T of load has been airlifted since the time IAF began its operations to assist the government of India on 25 Mar 20.
Repatriated Indians Arrive Kochi Onboard Indian Naval Warship INS Jalashwafrom Maldives
INS Jalashwa, deployed for “Operation SamudraSetu”, entered Kochi harbour at around 10:00 am on 10 May with a total of 698 Indian nationals stranded at Maldives, which included women, elderly people and children.
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Operation SamudraSetu - INS Magar Departs Male with Indian Citizens Embarked
INS Magar, the second Indian Naval ship to reach Male, Maldives for evacuation of Indian citizens, has departed Male, Maldives after completing embarkation of personnel.Indian Navy as part of Operation SamudraSetu under the Vande Bharat Mission has deployed INS Magar for second phase of repatriation of Indian citizens from Maldives. In the first phase, INS Jalashwa had evacuated a total of 698 Indian nationals stranded in the Maldives on 10 May 20.
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177 new mandis from 10 States & UTs integrated with the e-NAM platform for marketing of Agricultural produce
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, ShriNarendra Singh Tomar today launched integration of 177 new mandis with the National Agriculture Market  to strengthen agriculture marketing and facilitate farmers to sell their harvested produce through the online portal. The mandis integrated today are as follows: Gujarat , Haryana , J&K , Kerala , Maharashtra , Odisha , Punjab , Rajasthan , Tamil Nadu  and West Bengal . With the launch of 177 additional mandis, the total number of eNAMmandis across country is 962.
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Procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds steady during lockdown
2.74 Lakh MT Gram  has been procured from 9 States.3.40 Lakh MT Mustard has been procured from 5 States.1700 MT of Sunflower has been procured from Telangana.1.71 Lakh MT Toor has been procured from 8 States. About 34.87 lakh ha sowing area coverage under summer rice as compared to 25.29 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.About 10.35 lakh ha area coverage under pulses as compared to 5.92 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.About 9.57 lakh ha area coverage under coarse cereals as compared to 6.20 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.About 9.17 lakh ha area coverage under oilseeds as compared to 7.09 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year. In Rabi Marketing Season  2020-21, a total of 241.36 Lakh MT wheat arrived in FCI out of which 233.51 Lakh MT is purchased.
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Prime Minister pays tributes to scientists on the National Technology Day
Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi today paid tributes to all the scientists in the country who are using science and technology to bring a positive difference in the lives of others.ShriModi was tweeting on the occasion of National Technology Day. He said“Today, technology is helping many in the efforts to make the world free from COVID-19. I salute all those at the forefront of research and innovation on ways to defeat Coronavirus. May we keep harnessing technology, in order to create a healthier and betterplanet”.
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Raksha Mantri calls for India to become a net exporter of technology as DRDO celebrates National Technology Day
Addressing the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation  on the occasion of National Technology Day , ShriRajnath Singh called upon the country’s pool of experts to contribute to make India a technological powerhouse. ShriRajnath Singh said defenceorganisations are tackling the challenges posed by COVID-19 using state-of-the-art technology. India’s defence forces and Research & Development efforts have contributed significantly in finding solutions to the challenges posed by this invisible enemy.
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India is well-poised to reboot the economy through S&T: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
The Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said today that India’s fight against the Covid-19 is moving fast ahead strongly and steadily. He was addressing a Digital Conference, RE-START –‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations’, organised to celebrate the National Technology Day.
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UGC takes various steps to monitor queries, grievances, and other academic matters of students, teachers, and institutions, related to COVID 19
UGC has issued Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar in view of COVID-19 Pandemic on 29th April, 2020. Accordingly, all universities have been advised to plan their academic activities keeping in view the safety and interest of all stakeholders, giving highest priority to the health of all concerned, while adopting and implementing the Guidelines.Universities have also been requested to establish a Cell for handling grievances of the students related to examinations and other academic activities arising due to this pandemic and notify the same to the students.
HRD launches Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” on Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services for University Students of Odisha
To relieve the distress of student community during the troubled time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” and its Helpline Number 08046801010 through a virtual platform today. Speaking on the occasion Shri Ramesh PokhriyalNishank said that the nation is going through a difficult phase due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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DBT-BIRAC COVID-19 Research Consortium Recommends 70 Proposals for funding in Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics and other Technologies
To urgently develop safe and effective Biomedical solutions against SARS CoV-2, Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council  had invited applications for COVID-19 Research Consortium. Through a rolling multitiered review mechanism, 70 proposals of devices, diagnostics, vaccine candidates, therapeutics and other interventions have been recommended for receiving financial support. The shortlisted proposals includes10 Vaccines candidates, 34 Diagnostics products or scale-up facilities, 10 Therapeutics options, 02 proposals on Drug Repurposing and 14 projects which are categorised as preventive interventions.
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KVIC Potters using innovative methods to prevent spread of Corona virus
At a time when even the smallest bit in the fight against Covid-19 counts and raises hope, scores of KVIC potters in a Rajasthan village are drawing the country’s attention with their unique campaign to prevent the spread of Corona virus. Every earthen pot, particularly pitchers, made by these potters in Kishanganj village of Baran district in Rajasthan has a message on ways to fight Corona.
Ministry of Tourism organises 17th session of "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series on ‘Exploring River Nila’
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Dehradun Smart City takes measures including Integrated Command and Control Centre, CCTVs and Lockdown passes to combat COVID-19
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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES
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- Himachal Pradesh: All the people of the Himachal Pradesh stranded in various parts of the country willing to come back to the State would be thoroughly medically examined and would have to stay under institutional quarantine before they could go to their native place. Chief Minister asked the nodal officers to ensure that they keep a close liaison with the nodal officers of the States assigned to them, so that the matter of bringing back the stranded Himachalis could be taken with the respective state governments at the earliest. He said that priority would be given to the students for bringing them back to the State as they were the most vulnerable section.
- Punjab: Finance Department has notified detailed guidelines for the grant of ex-gratia compensation to the tune of Rs 50 lakh to the dependent members/legal heirs of employees, who die in harness while on Government duty fighting against Coronavirus pandemic. The compensation is admissible only for the pandemic of COVID-19 and it would remain in force from April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, subject to review thereafter.
- Haryana: Special campaign has been launched in Haryana for random COVID sampling of vegetable vendors, Health workers, Police personnel, Media personnel, Pharmacists, Depot Holders, Sanitation workers etc. Haryana has 26,125 bedded quarantine facilities in Dedicated COVID Care Centers and 8,751 isolation beds are available in Dedicated COVID Hospitals and in Dedicated COVID Health Centers.
- Kerala:Railways to run six Rajdhani trains between Kerala and New Delhi in a week, starting from Tuesday. The trains to stop only at Kozhikode and Ernakulam railway stations, and will operate via Konkan route. DGPs of Kerala and Tamil Nadu decide that people coming to Kerala without the required pass will be stopped by Tamil Nadu Police at the border. In the ongoing Vande Bharat mission two flights - one from Dubai to Kochi and another from Bahrain to Kozhikode - will arrive in the State tonight. Kerala State Beverages Corporation is getting ready to arrange online queue facility to control the rush when liquor outlets are opened after lockdown.
- Tamil Nadu: All migrant workers to be sent home within a week, says CM; so far over 9000 sent on special trains. Most retail businesses reopen in the State after 47 days, road traffic increases. Two government hospitals in Chennai chosen for ‘Solidarity Trial’ initiative - an international clinical trial launched by the WHO to help find an effective treatment for Covid-19. New wholesale vegetable & fruits market in Thirumazhisai starts functioning after the Koyembedu market was closed due to Covid spread. Total cases till now: 7204, Active cases: 5195, Deaths: 47, Discharged: 1959. Active cases in Chennai are 3839.
- Karnataka: 10 new cases reported today: Davangere 3, Bidar&Bagalkot 2 each, Kalburgi, Haveri&Vijayapura one each. Total cases till now: 858, Deaths: 31; Recovered: 422. Around 200 Kannadigas who were stranded in London came to Bangalore by Air India special flight today morning as part of Vande Bharat Mission. They landed in Kempegowda International airport and all the passengers have been kept under quarantine. State government forms special task force to attract investments amid Covid crisis.
- Andhra Pradesh:High Court conducts hearing of a petition via videoconference filed against sale of liquor in the state in the wake of Covid-19; Court adjourns hearing to Friday. Meanwhile, Central team's visit in Kurnool district, where number of positive cases is high, continues for the second day. 38 fresh cases of Covid19 reported; 73 discharged and no deaths reported in the last 24 hours after testing 7409 samples. Total cases rise to 2018. Active cases: 975, Recovered: 998, Deaths: 45. Eight of the nine cases reported from Chittoor have links to Koyembedu in Chennai. Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool , Guntur  & Krishna .
- Telangana:As many as 118 people hailing from India stranded in the USA landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport today as part of the Vande Bharat Mission. Another batch of Indians from Abu Dhabi  by Air India Flight is expected to arrive at around 9.30 pm on Monday. State govt widens net as migrant workers returning from other states are testing positive for Covid-19. A proposal to keep shops and business establishments open beyond their regular working hours post the lockdown is under active consideration. Total positive cases till yesterday1196, Active cases 415, Discharged 751, Deaths 30.
- Arunachal Pradesh: CM discusses ways to ramp up state's Covid-19 testing capacity with Arunachal Chapter of IMAIndiaOrg.
- Assam: Health Minister today visited Kaziranga University, Jorhat to review the quarantine facilities which is being set up on lines of Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati.
- Manipur: Home Deptt issues SOPs for people returning to the state by trains. Only medically fit persons will be allowed to travel.
- Manipur: In Manipur, passengers arriving at Jiribam station after medical screening will be taken to quarantine centres by govt buses.
- Mizoram: Chief Minister Zoramthanga today gave credit of state's COVID-19 free status to the discipline of its people.
- Nagaland: In Nagaland, DRDA to take up intensive farming activities in collaboration with Horticulture dept in and around Mon district. 545 beds in Mereima village and 254 beds in K BadzeKohima village quarantine centers ready to accommodate persons returning to state.
• Sikkim: Govt notifies immediate implementation of Sikkim Public Health & Safety  Regulations, 2020 authorising admin & police officials to impose fine of Rs. 300 if any person is found without face mask in public or work places; also prescribes strict prohibition on spitting in public places and compliance of social distancing norms.
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- Tripura:Govt decides to run Shramik Special Train from Mumbai to Agartala to bring stranded people from Maharashtra; prospective travellers may register at covid19.tripura.gov.in.
- Maharashtra: Maharashtra on Sunday reported 1,278 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking its case count to 22,171. The state also witnessed 53 virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours and its total death toll reached 832. Mumbai, the state capital, saw 875 more Covid-19 patients yesterday taking its total case tally to 13,564 and 19 more deaths took its death toll to 508. Maharashtra Industries Minister ShriSubhash Desai has stated that nearly 25,000 companies have resumed work in green and orange zone, which employ about 6 lakh workers. Manufacturing units in the highly industrialized belt of Mumbai- Thane – Pimpri-Chinchwad – Pune fall under the Red Zone and hence not operational.
- Gujarat:398 new cases of COVID-19 in Gujarat, which takes the number of infected persons in Gujarat to 8,195. The total number of deaths touched 493; 21 deaths were reported yesterday, out of which 18 deaths occurred at Ahmedabad. 454 patients were released after recovery from various hospitals in the state, which takes the total number of recovered patients in Gujarat to 2545.
- Rajasthan:Rajasthan has reported 3940 positive cases till date, out of which 2264 recoveries and 110 deaths have also occurred. 126 new positive cases have been till 1 p.m. today, out of which 46 cases have been reported from Udaipur. Meanwhile, more than 22 lakh labourers have been engaged in MNREGA works, stated Deputy CM Sachin Pilot.
- Madhya Pradesh:In Madhya Pradesh 172 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported, which takes the number of infected persons in the state to 3650. Among the cities, 77 new cases have been reported in Indore. In Bhopal, 30 new cases have been reported, which include former MLA JitendraDaga and four junior doctors.
- Goa:The North Goa District Administration has directed that persons stranded outside the country and returning to Goa will undergo mandatory institutional quarantine, even if they test negative for COVID-19. In the case of seafarers, the cost will have to be borne by their company, while others will have to undergo quarantine at their own cost. Around 100 Goans in UAE have registered to return to India.
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